Guiseley boss Bower happy to promote talk of play-offs

Guiseley boss Mark Bower has confirmed that the P word is not banned around Nethermoor.

Bower has been keen to play down the chances of his club securing a play-off place but after Tuesday’s huge 6-1 victory over Telford rocketed them into fifth spot the Lions are now serious contenders.

Telford had only lost the leadership last Saturday and were looking for the win that would have taken them back into the only guaranteed promotion place. But it was Guiseley’s night as they romped to victory.

Bower said: “What was pleasing was that it had been a really good performance all round, our defending was excellent and our finishing clinical.

“We had been saying in the weeks before that we could see a big victory coming but we didn’t expect it against a top side like Telford. We’re not getting carried away we know it’s only three points, the same as any win, but it does show the confidence that is running through the team.”

Bower had been pleased they were flying under the radar in recent weeks. They were hovering just inside the top half of the table but had several games in hand. Now they are in the spotlight but Bower feels they have the character to cope with the raised levels of expectation.

“We have given ourselves a chance by hitting form at the right time but there is still a way to go. You can never take anything for granted in football.

“It would be a shame to miss out on the play-offs after coming this far and we have been talking about winning games so promotion has always been a target. It has been spoken about because it’s on the agenda and now we have put ourselves in contention it is definitely in the consciousness.

“There will probably be a setback or two before the end of the season and when that happens we have got to bounce back. We have done that following some disappointments that we’ve had throughout the season so we have to be ready to do it again.

“If we do finish in the top five we have a chance of promotion and that should be our target.”